Iranian President Rouhani Postpones Vatican Visit After Paris Attacks

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Saturday cancelled a visit to Italy and France following deadly attacks in Paris, while the foreign minister made a decision to attend Vienna talks on Syria to address threats of extremism.

Iran’s foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif said that by coordination with the European parties, the Iranian President’s visit to Italy and France is postponed to a “most suitable time” in the future, the foreign ministry announced November 14.

Turkey, the host of the upcoming G20 summit, also spoke out against the attacks, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowing to continue his “resolute stance against terrorism”.

On Friday evening, Paris was rocked by several violent coordinated attacks in one of the deadliest assaults to hit the French capital since the World War II. We pray for the victims and the wounded, and for all the French people.

In London, where over 50 people were killed in a terrorist attack 10 years ago, British Prime Minister David Cameron said he and his government will “do whatever we can to help”.

The Iranian MP further offered condolences to the French people.

In a message to French President Francois Hollande, Rouhani called the attacks “crimes against humanity”, according to state television.

Also, Mehdi Aboutalebi accused Paris of having a hand in strengthening the Islamic state militant group (IS, aka ISIL, ISIS or Daesh), Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency reported November 14.